Hitched Horsehair

The craft of hitching horsehair into colorful belts, hat bands and horse bridles flourished in the prison systems among 12 western states in 1885-1920's. In hitching, a series of horsehair pulls, or strands, is knotted over string that is wound around a wooden dowel. The dowel provides something sturdy to hitch over and provides shape for the item to be hitched — usually in geometric patterns based on a diamond shape. 

Today this folk art technique is kept alive in the Deer Lodge, Montana State Prison. We are proud to offer this very rare and hard to find  selection of hitched belts and hat bands. If you do not find your size, please call us for a Special Order.